NFL

The Arizona Cardinals have traded for former Oakland Raiders starting quarterback Carson Palmer. The deal means the Cardinals are trusting a veteran to fix their quarterback issues, after several unsuccessful experiments with youth. They've also found the right fit for new head coach Bruce Arians' deep passing offense.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com reported the Cardinals dealt a sixth-round pick this year and a 2014 seventh-round pick to the Silver and Black. In exchange, they get Palmer and a 2013 seventh-round pick.

The Cardinals will be hoping the 33-year-old can replicate what Kurt Warner did in Arizona, during the twilight of his career. Warner took the Cardinals to their only Super Bowl appearance in 2008.

The Oakland Raiders have signed free agent cornerback Tracy Porter, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move reunites Porter with his former position coach Dennis Allen and strengthens a major area of weakness for the Raiders.

Porter's signing is the second move in what is already shaping up to be an excellent week for the Silver and Black. On Monday, they traded for quarterback Matt Flynn, gaining a new starter under center for 2013.

Acquiring Porter adds an experienced ball hawk to a depleted position group. The Raiders lost Ron Bartell and Michael Huff in free agency. At 26, Porter gives the Raiders a young and solid new starter.

Their pass defense ranked 20th in 2012, after allowing 235.9 yards per game. Part of the problem was that Allen didn't have the right fits for his coverage schemes.

Porter can play press-man coverage and will aggressively gamble on the ball. That's the template Allen used as secondary coach with the New Orleans Saints and as defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos.

Reinforcing the secondary is the biggest priority for the Washington Redskins in the 2013 NFL draft. However, Mike Shanahan's team also needs help along the offensive line, particularly at right tackle.

Even without a pick in the first round after the trade for Robert Griffin III in 2012, the Redskins have enough selections to fill their needs.

A tough-tackling safety, recently recovered from a horrific injury and an IVY League offensive lineman represent their best picks.

Round 2: Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State

There are more athletic and dynamic safeties in this draft class than Phillip Thomas. However, the Redskins need the Fresno State star because of his knack for forcing turnovers.

Thomas has keen instincts in underneath coverage and a flair for getting his hands of the ball. He is also a competent run defender.

Thomas has rebounded well from the broken leg that derailed his draft hopes in 2012. He is tough and savvy enough to quickly become a starter in Washington.

The Oakland Raiders have traded for quarterback Matt Flynn, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. The deal is a bold move the Raiders had to make. It gives them a fresh start under center and signals the end of veteran Carson Palmer's time in Oakland.

NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal reports the Raiders will send a 2014 draft choice to the Seattle Seahawks, as well as a pick in 2015, for Flynn. He failed to win the starting job in Seattle after the Seahawks gave him a three-year, $26 million contract in 2012.

Flynn lost a battle with third-round pick Russell Wilson. The rookie then guided the Seahawks to an 11-5 finish and a playoff victory, while Flynn warmed the bench.

He had joined the Seahawks to escape life as a backup. He made only two starts in four seasons from 2008-11, as the chief deputy to Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers.

Coming off a season in which they ranked fifth in the NFL in total defense and 28th in total offense, the Chicago Bears have plenty of incentive to spend their first-round draft pick on a player who can help them score. However, Chicago also has two starting linebackers to replace, and they may have a shot at a potential draft steal to help do it.

As noted by ESPN, the Bears are part of a cluster of teams likely to consider drafting Notre Dame star Manti Te’o. Even with Chicago’s needs on offense, if Te’o falls to the Bears, they’ll need an awfully good alternative to make it worth passing him up.

Te’o’s stock has dropped severely in the last three months. He was hit hard by a combination of the much-discussed hoax surrounding his nonexistent girlfriend, a disastrous end to Notre Dame’s season in a BCS title game blowout and his own disappointing combine performance.